Stories of Iraqis told by local
By Daily Press staff
A Santa Monica woman who has just returned from Baghdad will speak about her experience in the worn-torn country on Thursday.
Kelly Hayes-Raitt will speak at a special event held at the Westside Greens Office, located at 2809 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica.
Hayes-Raitt visited Iraq for 10 days in February, just five weeks before the U.S. bombings and invasion. She spoke with hundreds of women and children at the neighborhood bomb shelter where more than 400 Iraqis were killed in the 1991 Gulf War. She also toured a pediatric hospital where children were dying of leukemia because they could-n’t get the medicines they needed under U.N. sanctions.
In July, Hayes-Raitt returned from a second trip to Iraq, where her travels took her from Baghdad to Hillah, Babylon, Fallouia, Basra, and Umm, Qasr.
“I just returned home from my second trip to Iraq, where I found some of the children and women who touched me so deeply during my first visit in February,” she said. “I also saw firsthand the impact of the bombings and invasion on innocent people’s lives, homes and hearts. The trip revealed much devastation and much inspiration.”
Since February, Hayes-Raitt has spoke in front of more than 60 audiences, addressing religious congregations, state women’s conferences, school classes, community clubs, large peace rallies and small neighborhood meetings. She has photos and stories that attempt to humanize the war.
“Kelly’s photos and first hand accounts reach the audience on the heart and soul level and give a personal face to the reality of the Iraq war,” said Linda Piera- Avila, a member of the Westside Greens. “Her presentation is a refreshing, yet sobering, alternative to CNN’s edition.”
The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admittance is by donation and light refreshments will be served. Parking is on Pico Boulevard or behind the office, which also can be accessed from the Big Blue Bus #7 Pico Line.
For more information, contact the Westside Greens at (310) 449-1882.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 5, 2003. Read the original PDF.